640 carry comp + front sight ? w/pic

[Brian894x4]

I recently purchased a S&W custom 640, which I believe is a Performance Center, Carry Comp from about 1993. Apparently only 150 made of this particular model. .38 special (not .357).

Gun came with rosewood grips, which I still have and are signed and dated 1994 on the inside. I put on a set of S&W rubber gribs, just because I prefer them and I plan to use this gun.

Has four circle ports in a row on the top of the gun. A port design I've never seen before and I'm not sure I'm gonna like very much.

Other features that I can see are polished trigger, polished screws. Took it apart and it's had a minimal trigger job done. I did some extra polishing inside. Springs appear to be stock weight J frame springs.

It has a funky thumb release that I've never seen before and I don't like. It's like a cut down half size thumb release. Will probably replace with a standard "old style" J frame thumb release.

One thing I really like about the gun so far, is the extended ejector rod. The ejector rod is so long is actually pushes empty cases completely out of the cylinder.

My main question is regarding the sight. I'll like to replace the front sight with something more usable, maybe even a tridium night sight, but since the barrel is custom, I'm not sure how to figure how what size dovetail would fit.

Is this front sight a standard size or it is custom? Any recommendations on replacement?

Also any information or insight on this gun and its history would be appreciated.

Serial number is BRM77XX.

Thanks much!

 

[Bullseye Smith]

Does it have the Performance Center Seal on it? If it doesn't don't mean for sure its not a PC gun, because you never say never with S&W .

 

[Brian894x4]

That's a great question and the answer is no. No performance center seal.

However S&W book mentions a 640 Carry Comp run in about 1993 made by the Performance Center for Lew Horton, 150 guns. The description is bead plasted dull stainless finish, rosewood grips, 2 1/8" barrel, ported, .38 +P, which all matches this gun, plus the grips are signed by someone and dated 1994. My gun has a polished trigger, but I can't remember if the book mentions this or not. Trigger was originally cased hardened that I can see from parts of the trigger that were not polished.

The one thing that throws me off is that I can't find a photo of a duplicate this gun anywhere, including on this forum. I've seen photos of other later PC 640s, which I believe are .357, and are ported, but with slots and not the four inline holes on top of the barrel.

I've never seen the inside of a PC gun, but this one has been polished in certain places inside. However, not as much as I would have expected. Then again, my extra polishing, didn't really do much to improve the gun, so maybe that was all that was needed. Trigger was really nice, but a little heavy still and I attribute that to the fact that it appears to have the factory stock hammer and return springs.

The only markings, besides the signed and dated rosewood grips is a W symbol on the barrel along with .38 special, which I'm guessing denotes the barrel maker. It's marked as a 640, no dash.

Barrel is full lug, one piece with an extra long extractor rod, all parts that I can see, have matching serial numbers. Extractor is longer than any J frame I've seen and goes almost all the way to the front of the 2-1/8" barrel. It will extract empty .38 cases completely out of the gun.

I don't have a box or anything else to go with it.

 

[TSmith49]

Brian894x4,
It's a Weigand Custom "4PJ Executive". The porting is called "HybraPort" and it has a custom Jarvis 2.25 inch barrel. There is an article about these in the August 1995 issue of "Combat Handguns".
If I recall correctly, they also used this custom package on the 357 640's later as well and perhaps on some of the 3 inch 640's. In another of the old magazines there is an article about the 357's which has a very nice group of pictures with it.
And my wife wants me to through away all those old magazines in the basement.
TSmith

 

[murphydog]

Hi, I have handled a 640 Carry Comp, and your gun differs in several ways. The CC has a single port in front of the dovetailed front sight - if you have the SCSW 3rd edition, on page 350 there is a PC model 60 and 66 that have a similar setup. It also had a standard thumb latch. My guess is you have a customized 2 1/8" 640.

 

[colt_saa]

The firearm that you have is not S&W Product Code 170042 that was manufactured back in 1993. It is obvious from your supplied photo that your revolver is not a Performance Center offering.

The firearm is a standard model 640 that was sent to a third party gunsmith for modification.

The port style you described used to be done by Jack Weigand. It was called Hybra-Port. However without pictures from other angles, it is hard to tell if it is his work or not. Many other gunsmiths copied his style.

 

[Brian894x4]

You guys are awesome! I think those that suggested this was a 4PJ Executive by Jack Weigand are on the money. I found this article and the gun pictured in the article, looks intentical to the one I purchased, right down to the weird thumb release.

The W stamp on the barrel matches, Weigand's logo.

Here's the 1995 American Handgunner article also mentioned.

Smith and Wesson 640 Weigand 4PJ Executive package

I think I'm going to start a new thread with a bunch of detailed photos later tonight for anyone who might be interested and could tell me more. Especially what I might be able to replace the front sight with.

On the one hand, I'm kinda dissappointed that it's not the gun it was represented as being to me. But on the other, I plan on shooting and using it, so I'm kind of glad it's not necessarily rare or extremely collectable.
Weigard's site mentions that thousands of these conversion were made.

It's an awesome conversion. Frankly I wouldn't trade it for PC, although I'm not sure how much I'm going to love the extreme porting.

 

[apares]

640

Bryan, can you please tell me where did you find this gun. I'm looking for this same gun and I couldn't find it.

Please let me know. If you prefered you can send me a e-mail: [email protected]

Thanks

apares

 

[ace22]

imo that is a very slick j frame, i'd love to get one for myself

 

[koz5614]

That is a very cool revolver. As far as your quest for a front sight, it looks like "Gemini Customs" has the Weigand-style barrel and porting for S&W revolvers. You might want to contact them and ask them if they make a tritium front sight option for their guns. Perhaps you could purchase a front sight from them. Weigand Combat is also still around and has contact info on their website. Although it says they don't do custom work anymore, they may be able to steer you in the right direction.

 

[turbo38gn]

That appears to be one bad little puppy.. What are they worth...